USAPANG BAYAN: International Thank You Day. "Gratitude is the parent of all virtues."

 January 23, 2026 (2-3 PM)

International Thank You Day

(January 11, 2026)
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, 

but the parent of all other virtues. — Cicero

Dr Abe V Rotor

Can a baby say, Thank you?  

 

 Three-month old Mackie responds happily on receiving Christmas gifts from her lola and uncle at home. QC AVR photos

Plant early and reap its reward,

    for love begets love,

and beauty builds upon beauty,

    as this is seen Above.

A baby sang in joy and praise

    in Mozart's harmony,

join the angels' serenade

    in praise of God's glory.

And gratitude taught early

    though the gift's not the best,

need not the grown up to learn

    sown in the nest. ~

 

ANNEX 1

Salamat Po (Pilipino) 

Suffix Po is expression of respect and sincerity

Here are 10 ways to say "thank you" in different languages: 

Spanish: Gracias

French: Merci

German: Danke

Italian: Grazie

Japanese: Arigatou (ありがとう)

Chinese (Mandarin): Xièxiè (谢谢)

Russian: Spasibo (Спасибо)

Arabic: Shukran (شكرا)

Hindi: Dhanyavaad (धन्यवाद)

Portuguese: Obrigado (if you're male) / Obrigada (if you're female)

These translations are sourced from various reputable language learning platforms.

ANNEX 2 - Aesop Fable

Androcles and the Lion

 Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain.

He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.

The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the
Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.

The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. 

ANNEX 3 - Aesop Fable

The Lion and the Mouse

 Little friends may prove great friends.

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?"

The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a waggon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?"

said the little Mouse.

ANNEX 4

 Gestures of Gratitude

 

 

~ Acknowledgement: Internet annexes and images